Buffalo Bills’ All-Time Rushing TD Leaders

Thurman Thomas

OJ Simpson

The Buffalo Bills began play in 1960 in the American Football League (AFL), and merged into the NFL in 1970. The Bills won two championships in the AFL, but have not won a Super Bowl to date as I write this in 2011. The Bills did make it to the big game four times in the ‘90’s, but lost all four times. Still, the Bills have fielded some great offensive players over the years, especially during the “no huddle” Super Bowl years. Here is a short list of the Bills’ all-time leaders so far in rushing touchdowns:

Thurman Thomas (65)—Thurman Thomas was recently inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and he played for the Bills most of his career, from 1988 to 1999. Thomas was selected to the Pro Bowl five times, including twice as a first team All Pro. He ranks first in Bills’ history with 65 touchdown receptions. Thomas’ best season was arguably 1990—that year, Thomas rushed for 1297 yards and had 11 rushing touchdowns. He added 49 catches for 532 yards and 2 more scores, giving Thomas 1829 yards from scrimmage, which led the NFL that year. Also, his 11 rushing TDs and 13 all-purpose touchdowns were a career high.

O.J. Simpson (57)—It’s hard for many to remember that OJ Simpson did have a football career, and a very good one at that, playing in Buffalo from 1969 to 1977. Simpson ranks second in franchise history with 53 rushing TDSs, and he made the Pro Bowl six times, five of those as a first team All Pro. Simpson’s best season was arguably 1975, when Simpson had career highs in rushing TDs (16) and yards from scrimmage (2243), both of which led the NFL. His 1817 rushing yards also led the league, and Simpson tacked on 28 catches for 426 yards and 7 more scores, giving Simpson 23 total touchdowns.

Cookie Gilchrist (31)—Cookie Gilchrist only played in Buffalo from 1962 to 1964, but he made the Pro Bowl each of those, including twice as a first team All Pro. Gilchrist ranks third in Bill’s history with 31 rushing touchdowns. Gilchrist’s best season was probably 1962, when he had career highs in rushing yards (1096) and rushing scores (13), both of which led the AFL that season.

Wray Carlton (29)—Wray Carlton played for Buffalo his entire career, from 1960 to 1967, and ranks fourth in the team’s history with 29 rushing TDs. Carlton arguably had his best season in 1960, when he rushed for 533 yards and had a career best 7 rushing TDs. Carlton also caught 29 passes for 477 yards and 4 more scores, giving him career highs in yards from scrimmage (1010) and overall TDs (11).

Travis Henry (27)—Travis Henry played for the Bills from 2001 to 2004, and he ranks fifth in franchise history with 27 rushing touchdowns. Henry had his best season in 2002, when he made the Pro Bowl with career highs in rushing yards (1438), rushing TDs (13), receptions (43), receiving yards (309), all-purpose yards (1747) and total touchdowns (14).